Thursday, August 28, 2008

Dena Taylor will debut a selection of vocal jazz arrangements as featured artist July 13-21, on the exciting virtual jazz community "The Jazz Network" created by Jaijai Jackson, daughter of jazz bassist "Chubby Jackson." Dena's resounding voice premieres itself with her new release "Round Midnight." On this solo effort, Dena rounded up some very impressive musicians for her debut recording with keyboardist Ron Teixeira, bassist Ron Pirtle, and drummer Dave Dunscombe. Displaying a great respect for jazz standards Dena's debut CD is a heartwarming expression of her true nature and shows her spirit as a soulful storyteller. "The strong-voiced, yet sweet singing Taylor chose the 9 tracks based on her appreciation of the lyrics and emotional attachment to the melodies.

"She is a jazz and blues vocalist extraordinaire! Has a huge repertoire of songs from both genres of music and sings all of them very well. Is very professional, has great back up musicians, garners fans wherever she performs, and audiences feel she is singing to them. All in all, Dena Taylor is a joy to watch as well as to listen to her vocals." ~ Sandi Hall, Development Executive, WFIT 89.5FM-Brevards only Public Radio Station "Dena's voice is strong and seasoned. It captures the essence of the jazz standards by making them all her own." ~ Jaijai Jackson"This vocalist has an intensely strong, rich and mellow voice and she draws you into the jazz songs she sings." ~ CD Baby reviewAfter many years of building her musical talent singing locally in any venue she could find, she continued honing her skills after entering into the military where she remained from 1970 to 1982, mostly in Greece, Spain and Germany. Dena was able to utilize her vocal talents jamming with friends as well as performing in USO shows and local events in nearby hotels and clubs.Blending her theater and acting training with her lifelong love of the standard jazz repertoire, Dena's latest project is being heralded as a newcomer on the scene who surely has a message to express.

With musical influences like Rosemary Clooney, early Barbra Striesand, Dusty Springfeild and gospel artist CeCe Winans, Dena found her own voice and what feels good to her in her new CD "Round Midnight". Dena primarily performs in the central Florida area but is certainly open to taking her talents to wherever audiences want to hear what she has to share. Be it small intimate performances to large fund-raisers that lend her voice to those areas of charity that lies close to her heart. "I love it when the audience is in my song with me" says Dena.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

On October 7th, 2008, multi-platinum Arista recording artist Sarah McLachlan will release the first best-of collection of her long and illustrious career. Closer: The Best Of Sarah McLachlan contains 14 classic tracks personally selected by the artist from her award-winning catalog, as well as two newly recorded and previously unreleased songs, "U Want Me 2" and "Don't Give Up On Us," working with her longtime producer Pierre Marchand. Additionally, a deluxe 2-CD version will be available, which will include the 16-song album plus a bonus disc of additional songs from Sarah's discography.

Since joining Arista two decades ago, every one of Sarah McLachlan's studio and live albums and videos have been certified gold, platinum, or multi-platinum by the RIAA, starting with Touch (1988) and Solace (1991), both gold sellers. Her 1994 breakthrough, Fumbling Towards Ecstasy (triple-platinum) was followed by the digitally enhanced multimedia version of The Freedom Sessions (1995, gold). Sarah's landmark fifth album, the 8x-platinum Surfacing (1997), contained two Grammy Award-winning tracks, as "Building a Mystery" won for Best Female Pop Vocal, and "Last Dance" was voted Best Pop Instrumental. 1999's triple-platinum Mirrorball, and its platinum long-form video counterpart, were both culled from that year's Lilith Fair tour, and spun off Sarah's third Grammy-winning performance, as "I Will Remember You" won for Best Female Pop Vocal. The double-platinum Afterglow followed in 2003, and received a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Vocal Album, while its opening track, "Fallen" was nominated for Best Female Pop Vocal. 2007's Wintersong, was the #1 best seller on the Holiday Album charts that year, was nominated for a Grammy for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album, and was certified Platinum, marking her 15th release to be certified gold, platinum, or multi-platinum by the RIAA.

Here are some of the highlights of Closer: The Best Of Sarah McLachlan:

-- "Good Enough," "Possession" - Both tracks are culled from Sarah McLachlan's third Arista album, Fumbling Towards Ecstasy (released 10/22/1993), her commercial break­through and first Billboard Top 50 chart entry. "... McLachlan never flinches, never takes the easy route of cliché and formula. This care and attention given to her art allows each song to stand strong individually, making the whole an extraordinary collection." (AllMusic.com)

-- "Building A Mystery" -- Taken from the Diamond-certified (10X-platinum) album Surfacing (released 7/15/1997), which entered the Billboard chart at Number Two, "Building A Mystery" won the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal. ("Last Dance," a second track from Surfacing not included on the new collection, was voted Best Pop Instrumental.)

-- "I Will Remember You" -- Sarah McLachlan founded the legendary Lilith Tour in 1997 and her quadruple-platinum album, Mirrorball (released 6/15/1999), was recorded live during the 1999 tour. "I Will Remember You" from Mirrorball earned Sarah her third career Grammy Award, again in the category of Best Female Pop Vocal.

-- "Fallen" -- The opening track from Sarah's double-platinum album Afterglow (released 11/4/2003), which reached Number Two on the Billboard Top 200. "Fallen" was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal. In addition, Afterglow was nominated for Best Pop Vocal Album.

-- "U Want Me 2," "Don't Give Up On Us" -- Composed by Sarah McLachlan and co-produced by Sarah and Pierre Marchand, these new recordings will be a special treat for fans who eagerly await the follow-up to Afterglow, Sarah's last album of all-original material.

Japanese jazz saxophonist Sadao Watanabe is set to release a new, double-disc album and perform on rare select dates in the United States. The new CD, "Basie's At Night" will be released on September 2, 2008 and features some of Watanabe's best songs recorded at Basie's in Ichinoseki, Iwati on April 14, 2007. Sadao Watanabe learned clarinet and alto in high school, and moved to Tokyo in the '50s, where he joined Toshiko Akiyoshi's bop-oriented group. When the pianist moved to the U.S. in 1956, Watanabe took over the band. Watanabe has remained mostly based in Japan throughout his career, but when he attended Berklee in the early '60s, he was able to work with Gary McFarland, Chico Hamilton, and Gabor Szabo.

The tracklisting for "Basie's At Night" is:Disc 11. One For You2. Plum Island3. I’m Old Fashioned4. Alake – Lopin’5. Tembea6. Deep In A Dream7. Maji

Disc 21. Bye Bye Babe2. Basie’s At Bight3. Life Is All Like That (For Snoopy & his friends)4. See What Happens5. Call Me6. Manha De Carnaval7. Episode8. Karibu9. Harambee10. Carinhoso

Monday, August 25, 2008

Rock & Roll Hall of Famers, Walter Becker and Donald Fagen will soon be wrapping up their THINK FAST, STEELY DAN SUMMER TOUR 2008, but not before two last blow-out concerts in the Sonoma Wine Country! Becker and Fagen have decided to end their critically and popularly-acclaimed tour in Santa Rosa, August 26 and 27. Tickets are still available for the Sonoma County concerts, which went on-sale in June. The concerts represent one of the most intimate opportunities ever to experience the iconic music of Steely Dan in the bands' 30+ year performance history. Presented in the 1600 seat Ruth Finley Person Theater at Wells Fargo Center for the Arts, the concerts will feature Steely Dan's incredible roster of hits, with no seat further than 75-feet from the stage!

Becker and Fagen will draw from their deep, powerful, three-decade-plus catalog of signature hits and album favorites. The dapper duo will be supported, as always, by their tight, sophisticated and of world-class R&B and jazz players. Set lists may also sample from Fagen's just released Nightfly Trilogy, and Becker's newly released solo album, Circus Money.

"When we first decided to make an offer to Steely Dan, it was a long shot because our theater is much smaller than the 4,000+ seat venues the band normally plays," said Rick Bartalini who oversees talent booking for the Arts Center's entertainment programs. "But, when we learned the band was heading west again for a private show in Las Vegas (after having played the Bay Area in July), we decided to put together our best offer possible for two nights. We didn't realize then that they would be extending their tour to come here ... or that we would get to host the finale, which is a big honor! It's the chance of a lifetime for fans to see the band in such an intimate setting, and the fact that it's the tour finale makes it even more incredible."

If you love the music of Lalo Schifrin as much as I do, then you will be please to know that Scarecrow Press will release the autobiography of six-time Academy Award(R) nominated composer Lalo Schifrin this summer. Mission Impossible: My Life in Music, edited by Richard Palmer, is a journey from Schifrin's formative years in Argentina to the classical and jazz atmospheres in Paris in the 1950s; from his jazz career with Dizzy Gillespie to his development as a film composer. Schifrin has written over 100 film and television scores including Mission Impossible, Mannix, Cool Hand Luke, Bullitt, The Cincinnati Kid, Amityville Horror, four of the Dirty Harry films, and more recently Abominable and the Rush Hour trilogy. To date, Lalo Schifrin has won four Grammys(R) (twenty-one nominations), one Cable ACE Award, and six Academy Award(R) nominations.

Organized in eight parts, the book reflects on Schifrin's cosmopolitan experience providing impressions and vignettes of the extraordinary people with whom he worked. His music bridges three styles -- jazz, classical, and film/TV -- his autobiography offers insights on all three genres, as well as politics, literature, and travel. It includes over 30 photos, appendixes listing Schifrin's works, a discography, and an audio CD featuring some of Schifrin's greatest compositions.

Schifrin's career has taken him in many directions. As a jazz musician he performed and recorded with Dizzy Gillespie, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Stan Getz, Count Basie, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and George Benson. His classical activities include Zubin Mehta, The Three Tenors, Rostropovich, Barenboim, and others. His longtime involvement in both the jazz and symphonic worlds came together in 1993 as pianist and conductor for his on-going series of "Jazz Meets the Symphony" recordings, with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, and jazz stars like Ray Brown, Grady Tate, Jon Faddis, Paquito D'Rivera and James Morrison.

Friday, August 22, 2008

Sony today introduced a DJ-style shelf system with a dual dock for iPod(R) devices called XROSS FADE(TM). It's perfect for mixing and playing music from iPod players, CDs and other music sources, XROSS FADE helps create the ultimate party soundtrack. Part of the Muteki(TM) series of stereo systems, the XROSS FADE (model LBT-DJ2i) has an imposing presence and massive output that can fill nearly any room with sound, whether it's in a home, a dorm, or even powering a block party.

This music system has 450 watts of total power output (wow!), so all you aspiring DJs can crank up the volume while still maintaining high quality sound. As its name implies, the XROSS FADE system comes with DJ-style features, including a cross-fader with monitor cue and a built-in two-channel mixer. With this feature, an upcoming track can be checked through headphones to be sure it's cued properly before playing it aloud. DJs can mix two songs or fade into the next song without missing a beat. With an interface and two scroll wheel mechanisms that allow for easy menu navigation similar to that of iPod players, users never need to touch their iPod players while scanning for the next track. The XROSS FADE system even has a USB recording function that saves mixing sessions to a USB device in the MP3 format without a PC.

For MP3 files, the system's MP3 Booster+ feature improves audio quality by restoring sound that is lost during compression. For extra thump, the beat blend feature adds a layer of pre-programmed percussion, drum sounds and drum loops over the mix. The XROSS FADE system includes traditional shelf system features, such as a CD player, an AM/FM tuner, and a line-in jack for listening to MP3 players. Users can mix music from these sources as well as their iPod players. The system converts CDs and AM/FM radio to MP3 files as well. With its matte black and chrome finish and appearance similar to a DJ mixing board, the XROSS FADE system is designed to be a statement piece for the bedroom, dorm room or living room. It produces a booming, high-impact sound through a pair of two-way bass reflex speakers and a dual 7-inchsubwoofer enclosure.

How much and when will it be available? The LBT-DJ2i XROSS FADE music system will be available in September for about $500 direct from select retailers nationwide. For more information about the XROSS FADE system and the entire Muteki line of shelf systems, click to http://www.sony.com/muteki.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Created and produced by ENIGMA mastermind Michael Cretu, Seven Lives Many Faces debuts 18 years after ENIGMA's spectacular global debut in the fall of 1990 with "Sadeness, Part 1." An omni-cultural trip traversed in 12 chapters, Seven Lives Many Faces is an aural expedition that moves well beyond the scope of the familiar range of sound, broadening listeners' sonic horizon and challenging the musical status quo. How popular is ENIGMA you say? Well with more than 40 million albums sold, 50 number one chart positions, and approximately 100 platinum sales awards around the world, ENIGMA is Germany's most successful musical export of the past 20 years. ENIGMA's seventh studio album, Seven Lives Many Faces, will be released by Virgin/EMI on September 30 in two physical and digital configurations: a single CD and digital album, and an expanded Special Edition with five additional new tracks, available in a deluxe 2-CD package and digitally.

"The idea behind ENIGMA is to make the impossible possible," says Cretu. "As long as I don't repeat myself, I won't get bored. That's why I always have to start something new, invent things!" To create Seven Lives Many Faces, Cretu drew from his vast digital archive of more than 400,000 different sounds. "Technology has never been a surrogate for a good idea, but even a good idea can never replace instinct," he says. "What I choose from this archive and how I combine the different elements is frequently difficult to follow, even for people who are involved in music." The new album (Seven Lives Many Faces) is driven, in part, by string arrangements paired with aggressive drums and percussion, bringing together traditional and modern musical elements. "Figuratively speaking, it was my intention to combine the dirtiest Bronx hip-hop beats with the purity of the London Symphony Orchestra."

Cretu has always looked for new ways to combine music and language, instrumentation and lyrics. Seven Lives Many Faces's final track, "The Language of Sound," a post-dadaist sonic collage of vocal fragments and human sounds, is representative of his broader creative vision for ENIGMA. Cretu explains, "Language produces barriers; music, on the other hand, is limitless. It is indispensable for the human race because it produces vibrations, tremors, emotions."

Bette Midler is an artist of stunning versatility who can leave you in tears with a funny story or a sad song. A gifted actress and natural comedian, Midler is best known as an exceptional interpreter of song, winning four Grammy® Awards since her 1972 debut with Atlantic Records. As Midler continues to charm Sin City with her ongoing concert show at Caesars Palace, The Showgirl Must Go On, Rhino pays tribute to the Divine Miss M with a career-spanning collection of her biggest hits and an unreleased demo. JACKPOT -- THE BEST BETTE will be available on September 23 from Rhino Records at all physical and digital outlets.

The 19-song retrospective paints a vibrant portrait of Midler's uncanny ability to inhabit any style of music and make it her own. Taken from nine studio albums, this eclectic selection touches on girl group ("Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy"), Top 40 ("Friends"), soul ("When A Man Loves A Woman"), standards ("This Ole House"), holiday ("Cool Yule") and rock ("Beast Of Burden").

JACKPOT also spotlights two of Midler's most important musical milestones. The first is "Wind Beneath My Wings," her first #1 hit and winner of the 1989 Grammy® Award for Record of the Year. The second is "From A Distance," winner of the 1990 Grammy® for Song of the Year and a #2 hit for Midler from her platinum-certified album Some People's Lives.

Alongside the familiar melodies on JACKPOT is "Something Your Heart Has Been Telling Me," an unreleased demo Midler recorded in the summer of 1984 with renowned songwriters Robert Kraft and Barry Reynolds. Kraft recalls cutting the track at Atlantic Studios: "I always thought there was some magic in those sessions, because the songs seemed to acquire a haunting, almost bittersweet quality as we laid down the tracks. Roberta Flack recorded this song several years later, but I have always been a fan of Bette's original vocal on this version."

Jerry Wexler, one of the prime architects of Atlantic Records -- as a visionary producer as well as a senior executive -- passed away earlier this week at his home in Florida at the age of 91. A passionate jazz fan and record collector, Jerry Wexler joined Atlantic in 1953, six years after the company's formation. He had previously been a writer at Billboard -- where he coined the term "Rhythm and Blues" for the genre then known as "Race Music." Hired by co-founder Ahmet Ertegun, Wexler entered Atlantic as a partner, remaining as an executive until 1975, when he left his post as Vice Chairman to focus on producing and writing.

Together with Ertegun, Wexler revolutionized R&B music and the music business itself in the '50s and '60s. A true renaissance man, Jerry brought a rare combination of creativity, intelligence, wit, artistic sensibility, and business savvy to the evolution of Atlantic from a small independent label into a major industry force. He understood music and musicians in a way few label executives did, and was able to inspire them to do their best and most original work.

In his early days at Atlantic, Wexler worked alongside Ertegun to produce groundbreaking records by such artists as Ray Charles, LaVern Baker, Clyde McPhatter and the Drifters, Big Joe Turner, and Ruth Brown. He subsequently produced such soul stars as Aretha Franklin -- whom he personally signed to the label -- Solomon Burke, Wilson Pickett, Sam & Dave, King Curtis, Donny Hathaway, and many others. Wexler pioneered Atlantic's move into Southern Soul music and forged the hugely successful partnership with the Memphis-based Stax Records -- the home of Otis Redding -- and the label's rhythm section (comprised primarily of the members of Booker T. & The MG's). He went on to produce landmark records at Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals and Criteria Studios in Miami.

Along with Ertegun, Wexler was instrumental in signing Led Zeppelin to Atlantic, and he brought in the Allman Brothers by helping their manager, Phil Walden, set up Capricorn Records. Numerous other Atlantic artists benefited from Jerry's guidance and inspiration, and he produced classic records by Dusty Springfield, Esther Phillips, Willie Nelson, Dr. John, and many more. Wexler was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.

In describing his producing style, Wexler once noted that he was "the guy in the middle who is neither an engineer nor a musician, but an ear to hear what is happening and reshape it... the role becomes one of director. You keep it rolling; you know the choices that must be made. In my analysis, the final determination is that if you can't go out and change the music, you aren't a producer. You are merely presiding at a happening."

The history of Atlantic Records and of the sound of contemporary music would be very different without the impact that Jerry's great ears, uncanny intuition, and true genius had on countless artists and their music. He will be deeply missed by those who knew him and, more importantly, by the millions who -- knowingly or unknowingly -- have heard his phenomenal body of work. He remains inspiration to all of us as we strive to build on Atlantic's legacy in the 21st Century. Our condolences go out to Jerry's family and friends during this sad and difficult time.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

For more than 25 years, UB40 has been one of the world's premiere pop-reggae acts, with severalinternational chart-topping singles and global sales totaling more than 70 million albums. On September 30, Virgin/EMI will release UB40: Greatest Hits, a new CD and digital collection of 21 hits and standout tracks spanning the influential group's career. In 1983, UB40 released the album Labour of Love, a direct tribute to the musicians who had inspired and influenced them. The phenomenally popular 'Red Red Wine' was the album's first single, and it went straight to #1 on the UK charts upon its release, remaining on the British charts for two years. In 1984, the song became UB40's first U.S. #1 and went on to be a worldwide hit for the group.

Included on UB40: Greatest Hits are the group's first #1 smash, 1984's "Red Red Wine," and their reggae-splashed hit versions of "Here I Am (Come and Take Me)," "(I Can't Help) Falling In Love With You," and "The Way You Do The Things You Do." Also included are two songs featuring The Pretenders' Chrissie Hynde, "I Got You Babe" and "Breakfast In Bed." "Swing Low", the official anthem for the England rugby team's triumphant 2003 World Cup campaign in Australia, was the group's 49th UK chart single.

After many years performing live and developing a name for themselves, UB40's fortunes changed at the beginning of 1980, when they were asked to support The Pretenders on a UK tour. The cover art for UB40's first album, released that year, was a reproduction of the UK's unemployment benefit card, with the title Signing Off rubber-stamped in red. It referred to "signing off" the dole and getting a job, both an acknowledgement of the launch of the band and a celebration of their new status.

Because they were from the West Midlands and they were a large multicultural group playing music of Jamaican origin, UB40 were initially thought to be part of the two-tone music scene which had burst out of nearby Coventry. Rooted in Caribbean ska, rock steady and reggae, the two-tone style was popularized by Coventry bands including The Specials and The Selecter. Signing Off made it clear that UB40 were not part of the two-tone movement. While they were part of the same social and political tendency, their musical approach was quite different. Their sound was more relaxed, sophisticated and sultry.

With sales totaling more than 170 million albums worldwide and a phenomenal number of hit records throughout her career, Tina Turner is the most successful female rock artist of all time and the undisputed Queen of Rock 'N' Roll. Turner made headlines around the world in May when she announced that she would tour this fall and winter. To complement the eight-time Grammy Award winner and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer's long-awaited return to arenas throughout North America, Capitol/EMI will release Tina! on September 30, a new 18-track CD and digital collection of Turner's top hits, rare live recordings and two exclusive new tracks. In addition to featuring all of the career-spanning hits Turner will perform at her concerts, including "What's Love Got To Do With It," "Private Dancer," "Better Be Good To Me," "We Don't Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)," "Proud Mary" (1993 version), "Nutbush City Limits," and "River Deep Mountain High," among others, Tina! features two new, exclusive tracks, titled "It Would Be A Crime" and "I'm Ready." Four concert recordings are also featured, including "I Can't Stand The Rain," recorded live at Amsterdam Arena (1996), "Addicted To Love," recorded live at London's Camden Palace (1986), and two that have never before been released on CD, "The Best," recorded live at London's Wembley Arena (2000) and "Let's Stay Together," recorded live at Amsterdam Arena (1996).

Tina Turner's May 12 tour announcement and captivating live performance on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" was the talk of the entertainment world. The program will re-air prior to the release of Tina! and Turner's tour-opening show in Kansas City, MO on October 1. The tour will take Turner to major cities across North America for 28 concerts from October 1 to December 12, including Newark, Chicago, Los Angeles, Boston, Washington, DC, Toronto, and Montreal. 31 European dates will follow, from January 14 to April 3, including four nights of shows in Cologne, London, Manchester and Munich, three in Hamburg and Antwerp, two in Vienna, Paris and Arnhem and single dates in Paris, Berlin, Hannover and Zurich.

The brand new stage show will feature hit after hit spanning Turner's entire career, with a spectacular production including the singer's top-notch band, innovative choreography, hi-tech lighting and much more. With sensual, soulful and powerful vocals that have been part of music history for over four decades, the singer's explosive live set will include everything from early career singles through solo superstar smashes, as well as '90s comeback hits including "I Don't Wanna Fight" and the theme song to the James Bond film Goldeneye. The set, the production, the songs, and Turner's unique stage presence will delight her legions of fans who have followed the legendary diva's extraordinary creative journey, while seducing new admirers and proving that her vocal majesty still continues its reign to this day. Before the tour begins, People magazine and "Entertainment Tonight" will showcase Turner with looks behind the curtain in special previews of what fans will enjoy at the concerts.

Turner's last album was released in 2004, a collection of hits with the newly recorded single "Open Arms." It was a worldwide smash, debuting at #2 on Billboard's Top 200 chart. In 2005, she was honored as one of Oprah Winfrey's legends, African-American women who have broken barriers in their lives and work, and ended the year as a Kennedy Center Honors recipient, the highest form of recognition of excellence in the arts in the U.S.

Tina Turner: Tina! (CD and Digital Album)1. Steamy Windows2. River Deep Mountain High [different version on digital release]3. Better Be Good To Me4. The Acid Queen [different version on digital release]5. What You Get Is What You See6. What's Love Got To Do With It7. Private Dancer8. We Don't Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)9. I Don't Wanna Fight10. Let's Stay Together (live at Amsterdam Arena, 1996) [CD release debut]11. I Can't Stand The Rain (live at Amsterdam Arena, 1996)12. Goldeneye13. Addicted To Love (live at Camden Palace, London, 1986)14. The Best (live at Wembley Arena, London, 2000) [CD release debut]15. Proud Mary (1993 Version)16. Nutbush City LimitsBONUS TRACKS17. It Would Be A Crime [NEW track, exclusive to this release]18. I'm Ready [NEW track, exclusive to this release]

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

On August 10, 2008 Hayes' wife, Adjowa, found him on the floor near a treadmill inside his home located just east of Memphis, Tennessee.. A Shelby County, Tennessee sheriff's deputy responded to Hayes' home. He was taken to Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, where he was pronounced dead at 2:08pm, at the age of 65. The cause of death was not immediately known, though the stroke he suffered in 2006 is considered a factor.

Isaac Hayes was one of the main creative forces behind the music label Stax Records, where he served as both an in-house songwriter, producer, and session player. He co-wrote songs with songwriting partner David Porter that resulted in a string of hit songs including "You Don't Know Like I Know", “Soul Man”, “When Something Is Wrong With My Baby”. And “Hold On, I’m Comin" for Sam and Dave. In the late 1960s, Hayes became a recording artist, and recorded successful soul albums such as Hot Buttered Soulr (1969) and Black Moses (1971. Isaac Hayes was also an award winning songwriter for the film score to the 1971 blaxploitations film Shaft, as he earned an Academy Award for Best Original Song (the first Academy Award received by an African-American in a non-acting category) and two Grammy Awards.

He received a third Grammy for the album Black Moses. In 1992, in recognition of his humanitarium work, he was crowned an honorary king of Ghana’s Ada district. From 1997 to 2006, he provided the voice for the character "Chef" on the Comedy Central animated TV series South Park. He also appeared in many film and television appearances. At the time of his death, he was preparing his first new studio album since 1995. Although Hayes had health problems in recent years he did had continue to tour and work occasionally in film (he had a role in “Soul Men,” a comedy set for release in November and starring Samuel L. Jackson and coincidentally, with Bernie Mac, the comedian who died this past Saturday). Isaac. Hayes had been married three times previously. In addition to his wife, he is survived by their son, Nana, and 11 other children.

WATTSTAX — THE LIVING WORLD (1972) • Disc 1 • THE STAPLES SINGERS • Oh La De Da • I Like the Things About Me • Respect Yourself • I’ll Take You There • EDDIE FLOYD • Knock On Wood • Lay Your Loving on Me • CARLA THOMAS • I Like What You’re Doing (To Me) • Gee Whiz • I Have A God Who Loves • RUFUS THOMAS • The Breakdown • Do the Funky Chicken • Do the Funky Penguin • Disc 2 • THE BAR-KAYS • Son of Shaft/Feel It • I Can’t Turn You Loose • ALBERT KING • Killing Floor • I’ll Play the Blues For You • Angel of Mercy • THE SOUL CHILDREN • I Don’t Know What This World Is Coming To • Hearsay • ISAAC HAYES • Ain’t No Sunshine

JOY (1973) • Joy 15:55 • I Love You That’s All 6:14 • A Man Will Be A Man 7:20 • The Feeling Keeps On Coming 6:28 • I’m Gonna Make It (Without You) 11:11

U TURN (1986) If You Want My Lovin', Do Me Right • Flash Backs • You Turn Me On • Ike's Rap VIII • Hey Girl • Doesn't Rain in London • Can't Take My Eyes off You • Thing for You •Thank God for Love

THE BEST OF ISAAC HAYES — VOLUME 1 (1986) • Theme from "Shaft" • Café Reggio • Walk On By • Ain’t That Lovin’ You (For More Reasons Than One) • Do Your Thing • (If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don’t Want to Be Right • I Stand Accused

THE BEST OF ISAAC HAYES — VOLUME 2 (1986) • Never Can Say Goodbye • The Look of Love • Theme from "The Men" • Joy • Let’s Stay Together • Ike’s Mood • By the Time I Get to Phoenix

GREATEST HIT SINGLES (1991) • By the Time I Get to Phoenix 7:02 • Walk on By 4:32 • I Stand Accused 3:59 • The Look of Love 3:18 • Never Can Say Goodbye 3:32 • Theme From "Shaft" 3:15 • Do Your Thing 3:16 • Let’s Stay Together 3:32 • Ain’t That loving You (For More Reasons Than One) 4:22 • Theme From "The Men" 4:00 • (If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don’t Want to Be Right 4:45 • Joy (Part 1) 4:35

THE BEST OF ISAAC HAYES — THE POLYDOR YEARS (1996) • Moonlight Lovin’ (Menage A Trois) 9:58 • Zeke the Freak 4:18 • Out of the Ghetto 5:44 • Don’t Let Go 7:15 • What Does It Take 5:55 • A Few More Kisses To Go 6:05 • Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight 6:45 • You Can’t Hold Your Woman 6:04 • It’s All In the Game 5:52 • Wherever You Are 5:39 • Lifetime Thing 5:32 • It’s Heaven To Me 4:18

THE BEST OF ISAAC HAYES (1998) • Theme from Shaft • Walk on By • The Look of Love • Never Can Say Goodbye • Do Your Thing • (If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don’t To Be Right • I Stand Accused • I Just Don’t Know What to Do With Myself • Joy (Part 1) • Feel Like Making Love (Part 1) • Type Thang • Three Tough Guys (Title Theme)

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Newsweek calls it "a highly personal affair that suggests this is his time after a while." His first-ever album of all original material, it features very special guest appearances from Eric Clapton, Robert Randolph, Susan Tedeschi, and Derek Trucks. You can download Skin Deep now on Amazon! (see the Amazon link here at The Jazz Chill Corner).

New West Records has announced Norah Jones: Live From Austin, TX, the latest DVD release from the acclaimed PBS Austin City Limits (ACL) television series. Taken from the full ACL concert that was then edited into the half hour TV show, the DVD contains previously unreleased performances. The 18 song disc was filmed in Hi-Definition and has DTS 5.1 Surround Sound. Norah Jones: Live From Austin, TX, will be the first release from the series available as a Limited Edition 180 gram vinyl record. Vinyl will be available on August 5, 2008 with the DVD in stores September 2, 2008. Other Live From Austin, TX titles available from New West Records this fall include Widespread Panic (11/11), Trace Adkins (10/28), Amos Lee (11/11) and Dierks Bentley (11/11) as well as second show releases from Lucinda Williams (11/11), Merle Haggard (10/28) and Waylon Jennings (10/28).

Grammy(R) Award winning artist Norah Jones recorded this stunning ACL performance on June 14, 2007, the second time the young artist has graced ACL's stage. Jones' music has touches of smoky jazz, country twang and Memphis soul that permeate her original songs. Her emotional, seductive performance is captured on the intimate DVD whether she is playing guitar on "Come Away With Me" or piano on "Don't Know Why." In addition to her own songs, Norah also plays a few covers including "Hands On The Wheel," made famous by Willie Nelson and Roy Orbison's "Blue Bayou." Norah shares the stage with The Handsome Band as well as special guests J. Walter Hawkes and M. Ward.

On-the-air since 1976, Austin City Limits has featured more than 500 different regional and internationally acclaimed artists on its stage, presenting the best of America's music from country, blues and folk to rock 'n' roll, bluegrass and zydeco. Since its inception, the Austin City Limits "Live from Austin, TX" series has shipped over 1 million units and yielded multiple Gold and Platinum-certified releases. The "Live From Austin, TX" series is comprised of intimate concert DVDs, re-mixed and re-mastered in 5.1 surround sound to provide the highest quality concert experience possible. Additionally, companion CDs remixed in Stereo from the original multi-track masters, are available from most of the artists in the series.

Monday, August 11, 2008

Composer, multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and two-time Grammy® winner Taj Mahal has been added to perform at the 2008 Telluride Festival Of The Arts. Taj Mahal is one of the most prominent and influential figures in late 20th century blues and roots music. With a professional career that spans more than four decades, Taj Mahal's artistic scope extends beyond American Blues to include musical influences from around the world, including west Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe and the Hawaiian islands. "We are excited to be announcing this special addition to the 2008 festival," said Mike Wisniewski, TMVOA president. "Taj Mahal is an amazing musical artist. Guests to this year's festival are in for an incredible performance and memorable evening."

Taj Mahal has toured relentlessly over the last four decades, doing as many as 150 shows per year throughout the U.S., Europe, Australia, New Zealand and beyond. The upcoming release of his new album Maestro, his first U.S. release in five years, marks the fortieth anniversary of Taj's rich and varied recording career by mixing original material, chestnuts borrowed from vintage sources and newcomers alike.

The Telluride Mountain Village Owners Association (TMVOA), sponsors and organizers of the Telluride Festival of the Arts (TFA) made the surprise announcement recently in citing that Taj Mahal and the Trio Band would appear on Friday, August 15, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. on Sunset Plaza in Mountain Village, Colo. The performance will be free and open to the public.

Thursday, August 07, 2008

Lionel Frederick Cole was born on October 15, 1931, the youngest of Edward and Paulina Nancy Cole's five children. His three elder brothers, Eddie, Ike and Nat (twelve years Freddy's senior) were all musicians. "I started playing piano at five or six," Freddy remembers. "Music was all around me." In the Chicago home of his youth, visitors included Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Lionel Hampton. He also credits Billy Eckstine as a major influence.

Freddy moved to New York in 1951, where he studied at the Juilliard School of Music and found himself profoundly influenced by John Lewis, Oscar Peterson and Teddy Wilson. He got a Master's degree at the New England Conservatory of Music and then spent several months on the road as a member of an Earl Bostic band that also included Johnny Coles and Benny Golson. It was back in New York that Freddy successfully laid the groundwork for a career that continues to flourish to this day. He developed a vast repertoire of songs in Manhattan bistros and concurrently began to supplement his live performances with television and radio commercial jingle work.

A resident of Atlanta since 1972, he currently leads a trio made up of himself, guitarist Randy Napoleon, drummer Curtis Boyd and bassist Elias Bailey that regularly tours the US, Europe, the Far East and South America. Freddy has been a recording artist since 1952, when his first single, "The Joke's on Me", was released on an obscure Chicago-based label.

Freddy recorded several albums for European and English companies during the 1970s that helped him develop a loyal overseas following. Cole believes that becoming an international favorite made him "widen my scope a little bit." He developed a stand-up act, a better rapport with audiences, and learned to sing in other languages. "It made me much more of a performer."Cole doesn't apologize for sounding like his brother, Nat "King" Cole. There are certain unmistakable similarities.

He plays piano and sings and performs live with guitar and upright bass, just like Nat. Yet his voice is raspier, smokier, jazzier even. But he has emerged from the awesome shadow cast by his elder brother. In truth, his phrasing is far closer to that of Frank Sinatra or Billie Holiday than that of his brother and his timing swings a little more. His vocals -- suave, elegant, formidable, and articulate -- are among the most respected in jazz. Cole's career continues to ascend as he has moved into the front ranks of America's homegrown art form with a style and musical sophistication all his own.

Freddy Cole’s upcoming appearances include a performance at the The OC Pavilion in Santa Ana, CA. He’ll appear there on August 29 at 8 p.m. The OC is located in historic downtown Santa Ana "the Golden City", the beautifully appointed theater with a capacity of only 528 seats assures you of an exceptional close up view of any event.

Spectacle: Elvis Costello with... has announced that The Police will tape a television appearance for the new talk/performance series. The episode will air as part of Spectacle's debut season on Sundance Channel beginning December 3, 2008. It will also air on CTV in Canada and Channel 4 in the U.K. FremantleMedia Enterprises is distributing the series internationally. For this historic music television event, members of The Police - Sting, Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland - will perform and discuss with Elvis Costello their varied and respective interests in music as individuals, as well as the remarkable chemistry together that has made The Police one of the biggest bands in music history. This exclusive engagement with Elvis follows an exciting spring and summer for the host who has been touring with The Police on their massively successful reunion tour, to widespread acclaim.

The series of 13 one-hour episodes will feature everything from intimate one-on-ones with legendary performers and notable newcomers to unprecedented, once-in-a-lifetime musical performances and collaborations. Motown legend Smokey Robinson will also tape an episode of Spectacle in August, exploring with Elvis his extraordinary 50 year career as a songwriter, singer and guiding light of soul/R&B. The Canada/United Kingdom co-production will also feature Tony Bennett, Lou Reed, President Bill Clinton and Sir Elton John, who is also one of the program's Executive Producers. The remainder of Spectacle's inaugural season line-up will be announced later this summer.

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

Capitol Records is set to release Dave Koz - Greatest Hits on September 16th. It's a fitting time for a career retrospective of the renowned instrumentalist/composer, with the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce recently announcing that Koz will be honored with a star in the sidewalk on Hollywood Boulevard's Walk of Fame in 2009. Dave has had numerous No. 1 singles and No. 1 albums and been honored with six GRAMMY nominations and an NAACP Image award nod.

Signed to Capitol by legendary music executive Bruce Lundvall, Koz has remained with the same label for nearly 20 years. His self-titled debut album was released in 1990 and yielded numerous hits, including his first No. 1 single, "Castle of Dreams," and "Emily," a track he co-wrote with Bobby Caldwell and Jeff Lorber. Both are included on Dave Koz – Greatest Hits. Other highlights include "You Make Me Smile," Koz's signature song, and "Faces of the Heart" from his first Gold album, 1993's Lucky Man. ("Faces of the Heart" was the theme song for ABC's "General Hospital" for 10 years.) His follow-up, Off the Beaten Path, was accompanied by a PBS special of the same name, and featured a more organic sound. The 1996 album's "Lullaby for a Rainy Night" is still one of Koz's all-time favorites. The swinging retro funk/hip-hop track "Can't Let You Go (Sha La Song)" featuring the late Luther Vandross on vocals was one of two No. 1 hits from 1999's The Dance, which, like Lucky Man, went Gold. Saxophonic, released in 2003, garnered Koz two GRAMMY nominations spanning two consecutive years. Like Lucky Man and The Dance before it, Saxophonic spent over 100 weeks on the charts. Included here are the breezy "Love Changes Everything" featuring Brian McKnight and the funk-inflected No. 1 singles "Honey-Dipped" and "All I See Is You."

Although Dave Koz - Greatest Hits is packed with Koz classics, documenting a career with incredible longevity and diversity, it also provides a sneak preview of Dave's next chapter with four brand new compositions. "Life In The Fast Lane," the first single, was most added for three consecutive weeks and is already at No. 12 on the charts. "I wrote it with Darren Rahn, one of the great up-and-coming writer/producers of today, and it reminds me of the pace my life has taken over the past 18 years," says Dave. "It certainly feels like I've been traveling in the fast lane... and absolutely enjoying every bit of the ride."

"And Then I Knew," another new song, was produced by his friend Rob Cavallo (Green Day, My Chemical Romance, Alanis Morissette). Although the two have known each other since second grade, this marks the first time the GRAMMY-winning producer has produced one of Dave's songs -- and his first time producing an instrumental artist. Other new tunes include "I Can" featuring BeBe Winans and "Bada Bing" featuring Jeff Golub.

In addition to recording a string of successful albums, Dave has found the time to host a weekly syndicated radio show ("Dave Koz Radio Show," now in its tenth year, is heard in approximately 120 markets) and a daily afternoon radio show nationally distributed on the Smooth Jazz Radio Network, tour worldwide (his summer and fall shows are staples of the touring industry and his "Dave Koz & Friends at Sea" outing is in its fourth year) and co-found an independent record label, Rendezvous Entertainment. He is also a dedicated philanthropist, serving as longtime Global Ambassador for the Starlight Children's Foundation and as an ongoing member of the Board of Governors for the GRAMMY Foundation.

}An artist's career is a two-way street and I am grateful for my fans' help in navigating me through this adventure," says Dave, who will wrap up his summer tour on September 27th with a performance at Los Angeles' Greek Theatre. Thereafter he'll tour Japan before embarking on the fourth annual "Dave Koz & Friends At Sea" cruise on Holland America Line's m/s Westerdam. (click to http://www.davekozcruise.com for further details.)

Dates for the annual "Dave Koz and Friends A Smooth Jazz Christmas" tour will be announced shortly.

The track listing for Dave Koz - Greatest Hits is as follows:1. You Make Me Smile2. All I See Is You3. Can't Let You Go (The Sha La Song) (featuring Luther Vandross)4. Faces Of The Heart5. Together Again6. Honey-Dipped7. Emily8. Life In The Fast Lane9. Love Is On The Way (featuring Chris Botti)10. I Can (featuring BeBe Winans)11. Lullaby For A Rainy Night12. Bada Bing (featuring Jeff Golub)13. Love Changes Everything (featuring Brian McKnight)14. And Then I Knew15. Castle Of Dreams

The Annie Lennox Collection paints a vivid portrait in song of the most successful female British artist in pop music history. Available September 16 from Arista Records, this 14-song retrospective brings together the acclaimed artist's finest solo work on a single disc for the first time, and includes a pair of new songs available exclusively with this release. Spanning 15 years, The Annie Lennox Collection also available in a Deluxe CD/DVD edition includes hits from her four top-selling solo albums Diva (1992), Medusa (1995), Bare (2003) and last year's highly praised Songs of Mass Destruction. The timeless music selected for this collection uniquely reflects the essence of the singer's instantly recognizable brand of soul music on tracks like "Why," "Walking on Broken Glass" and "No More 'I Love You's'" -- a song that earned Lennox one of her four Grammys.

The retrospective also includes two new songs that Lennox recorded specially for this collection. The first, "Pattern of My Life," was written by Tom Chaplin of Keane, who allowed Lennox to change the title of his song for this collection. The second is a cover of "Shining Light," a song originally recorded by Ash in 2001. "I first discovered this song by Ash about six years ago, and I simply couldn't stop listening to it. It's so exultant that it virtually shimmers," Lennox says.Among the many highlights on The Annie Lennox Collection is "Sing," a song that references The SING Campaign, a humanitarian organization Lennox founded to raise awareness and support for the AIDS/HIV pandemic in Africa. "We're still in the early stages, but this is a lifelong commitment on my part," Lennox says. "I'm coming out from behind my singing voice to express myself in broader terms and help give a voice to those who don't have the same opportunities as I do."

A dynamic activist, Lennox recently received the Red Cross Services to Humanity Award, was named the 2008 Glamour Inspirational Woman of the Year and sang for Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday celebration this summer in London. Lennox will again take the stage for a very special cause September 9 in New York and September 21 in London, when she performs as part of Peace One Day's concerts to herald the organization's goal of fostering non-violence.In her 26-year career, both as a member of the groundbreaking Eurythmics and as a solo artist, the Scottish lass born on Christmas Day has amassed sales of more than 78 million albums worldwide. Her towering achievements also include 34 hit singles, four Grammy Awards, 11 Brit Awards and five Ivor Novello Awards. The superstar has also won an Academy Award and one Golden Globe.

This fall, Decca will release renowned musician Boz Scaggs' 'Speak Low,' the silken-voiced singer's newest collection of standards and first studio album in five years, available on vinyl September 30 and in all other forms October 28. Co-produced with GRAMMY award-winning producer/arranger Gil Goldstein,Scaggs interprets Ellington, Mercer, Rodgers & Hart, and other classic writers and composers. In addition to Goldstein on piano/keyboards, the line up includes Alex Acuna (drums), Bob Sheppard (woodwinds), and Scott Colley (bass).

Scaggs began his distinguished career as a teenager and over a dozen records later, when Scaggs released 'But Beautiful,' the critical and fan response was tremendous, and the album debuted at #1 on the Billboard Jazz charts. The Boston Globe hailed that Scaggs had "made one of the year's best albums of jazz vocals" (6/28/03), while Jazz Times noted that the release marked "an enticing new chapter in an already dynamic career" (September 2003).

Scaggs once told the LA Times (6/12/03), "I'm going to be around this music for awhile. I love its melodic and harmonic qualities, and it's going to impact what I sing and what I write. The door's been opened."

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Four time Grammy nominee, singer/pianist Michael Feinstein is set to to release his 24th album, The Sinatra Project, through Concord Records September 2, 2008. The new album is a tribute to "The Chairman of the Board" himself, Frank Sinatra and is Feinstein's first recorded tribute to another performer. With the help of producer-arranger Bill Elliott, Feinstein realized he wanted to record an album of great romantic songs that had been sung by "Ol' Blue Eyes".

"For years I've had the desire to celebrate Sinatra's musical sensibilities, but I have no desire to copy the classic songs that he rendered better than anyone else. I wanted to create an album that would explore his style of singing and his style of music," comments Feinstein. To that end, the dynamic duo decided to record the album as they would have fifty years ago, in the famous last surviving recording studio from the days of stereo, Capital Studio A in Hollywood. "We set up the recording sessions the way they were done back in the day, with the entire band in one room, drums next to the trumpets and saxes, using only a handful of microphones to capture the warmth and depth of the music," added Elliott.

The album is comprised of classics such as "Fools Rush In," "I've Got a Crush on You," "At Last Love," "Exactly Like you," and many more. Feinstein not only pays homage to Sinatra, but to many of his contemporaries, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat "King" Cole, Rosemary Clooney and other great singers of the post-war, pre-rock years. They even called upon Sinatra's favorite songwriting duo Alan and Marilyn Bergman to consult as Feinstein recorded "The Same, Hello, the Same Goodbye" originally written for Sinatra.

Michael Feinstein started playing the piano by ear when he was five; he moved to Los Angeles when he was 20 and was introduced to the great lyricist Ira Gershwin by the widow of the legendary concert pianist-actor, Oscar Levant. Feinstein became Gershwin's assistant for six years, archiving the extensive Gershwin works and gaining unprecedented access to numerous unpublished Gershwin songs, which he has since performed and recorded. After launching his own career he was spotted by Liza Minnelli who was so impressed with the young musician, she helped launch his career.

Feinstein became a household name after his Broadway show, Isn't It Romantic, which opened in 1986. Through his live performances, recordings, film and TV appearances and his song writing (in collaboration with Alan and Marilyn Bergman, Lindy Robbins and Carole Bayer Sager), he has become one of the premiere interpreters of American popular song.

Dubbed "Ambassador of the Great American Songbook", Feinstein has played all around the world from Buckingham Palace to the White House. He will kick off the release of his new album with 6 special performances at his notable venue Feinstein's at Loews Regency in New York City, September 2nd - September 6th, 2008.

Monday, August 04, 2008

New from trumpeter/flugelhornist Lin Roundtree is "Sumthin’ Good". With this release Linn Rountree offers up a soulful collection of songs designed to warm even the coldest night. Lin Rountree and the production team of Billy Meadows and Dana Davis have scored another hit with this follow up to Rountree’s magical debut project "Groovetree".

As DJ Fazio of JazzMonthly.com said about his 2005 release, Groovetree. In talking about his new release, Lin Rountree said, "Sumthin’ Good was a great project to record because we didn’t stray too far from what made us successful on "Groovetree". Great grooves with great melodies played by great musicians. On "Sumthin’ Good", you will hear a progression, almost a maturation of sorts, in our sound and concepts. You will feel a little more punch on the mid-tempo songs and more soul on the easy grooves."

Punching grooves aren’t all that "Sumthin’ Good" serves up. According to Rountree, "There’s a beautiful ballad ("All The Way") co-written by Roberto Valley (bassist with Paul Brown). Mr. Carl Robinson contributed "She’s Just A Woman" for you reggae lovers. The legendary Perry Hughes (guitarist with Earl Klugh and Bob James) kicks in some lead guitar and a KILLER solo on "Chillin’ On." There’s even two vocal tracks this time, one featuring international soul sensation amp fiddler ("Kiss on Ya Soul"), and the other with up-and-coming R&B superstar 19-year-old Valencia ("Get Away"). All in all, we think "Sumthin’ Good" is indeed that. We hope you will too!"

During the past few years, Lin has received international acclaim for his music and performances and has been dubbed a member of the "new generation" of future smooth jazz stars. He has also shared the stage/studio with the likes of KEM, Dwele, Tim Bowman, George Benson, Peter White, Conya Doss Deitrick Hadden and a host of others. "For Your Love f/Tim Bowman," the first release from the 2005 "Groovetree", stayed on the SJ Charts for 15 weeks as Lin’s sound drew strong comparisons to Rick Braun and Chris Botti showing the world that Rountree is the real deal.

Through a partnership with industry moguls Hank Caldwell and Kendall Minter of NDN, LLC, Lin recently signed a national distribution deal with Ryko/Warner Bros. and is poised to release "Sumpthin’ Good", Lin’s sophomore effort. "Sumpthin’ Good" is scheduled to be released April 2008.